I'm no chrome fan. I like brushed aluminum, looks cool, not shiny but flat, no problem to keep clean. Like the V-Max. The chroming process is actually quite bad for the environment. Prefer an enduro with light plastic parts to a cruiser with loads of chrome.

I don't like chrome either as you say brushed aluminium is far better looking and less hassle. I also had an old V-Max, excellent touring bike with a screen fitted and the V-Boost system was a hoot. I like powder coating and am getting a lot done on my old XJR.

Ivan Maeger was presented with a gold plated speedway bike many years ago after winning the world speedway championship X ammount of times, but that would cost a fortune and would end up being a necklace in no time over here.

The 1950s-'60s alternative to chrome before it became to costly to use on automobiles was stainless steel. It had a much more rich finish than the subsequent brushed aluminum and never needed to be polished. Many an old "rust bucket" in the bone yards had perfect bright metal on them 30, 40 and 50 years after they were made. Does that date this old fart or what? :roll: